Drug substances

TNI does detailed research on the production, markets and consumption of various illegal drug substances including cocaine and crack (derived from coca), marijuana, opium and synthetic drugs. On the producer-side, TNI calls for respect for human rights, particularly of peasant producers, who are often caught up in repressive drug policies. On consumption, TNI advocates an approach of harm reduction.

Chewing over Khat prohibition

January 2012

Martin Jelsma

Pien Metaal

Axel Klein

Khat has been consumed for thousands of years in the highlands of Eastern Africa and Southern Arabia.Strict bans on khat introduced in Europe ostensibly for the protection of immigrant communities have had severe unintended negative consequences.

Series on Legislative Reform of Drug Policies

In memoriam: Adrian Cowell

October 2011

Martin Jelsma

Tom Blickman

Adrian Cowell, a groundbreaking documentary film maker and good friend, died early October in London.

Amphetamine Type Stimulants and Harm Reduction

October 2011

Tom Blickman

Little is known about the methamphetamine market in the region, but there are strong indications that the situation is deteriorating with substances becoming stronger, methods of use more harmful and the number of users steadily increasing. There is an urgent need for donors and governments to...

Drug Policy Briefing Nr. 37

Kratom in Thailand: Decriminalisation and Community Control?

May 2011

Pascal Tanguay

Kratom is an integral part of Thai culture and has neglible harmful effects. Community level control and education are recommended for the best path to harm reduction.

Series on Legislative Reform of Drug Policies Nr. 13

Correcting a historical error

January 2011

Drugs and Democracy

In 2009, the Bolivian government requested that the United Nations amend the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs to end the unjustified ban on coca leaf chewing while maintaining the strict global control system for coca cultivation and cocaine. The 18-month period to contest Bolivia’s...

Redefining Targets

December 2009

Martin Jelsma

Tom Kramer

Afghanistan remains the world’s largest producer of opium and has an under-reported but growing heroin-use problem. Current drug control policies in Afghanistan are unrealistic, reflecting a need for immediate signs of hope rather than a serious analysis of the underlying causes and an effort to...

Drug Policy Briefing No. 30

Afghanistan's hidden drug problem

November 2009

Martin Jelsma

Tom Kramer

Afghanistan's drug problem is not simply one of opium production - there is a growing number of heroin addicts that the country is ill prepared to deal with.

Burma: Neither War Nor Peace

July 2009

Whilst a twenty year ceasefire still holds, there is unlikely to be peace and democracy in Burma without a political settlement that addresses ethnic minority needs and goals.

Coca Myths

June 2009

Pien Metaal

Anthony Henman

The present issue of Drugs & Conflict intends to debunk and disentangle the most prominent myths surrounding the coca leaf. It aims to clear the air and help steer the debate towards a more evidence-based judgement of the issues.

Drugs & Conflict Debate Papers Nr. 17

Towards a world market for coca leaf?

June 2009

TNI

Pien Metaal

When we think of people like Pope Paul VI, the Queen of Spain or Britain’s Princess Anne, most of us do not think of them as criminals. But that is what they are, under the current international drug law. Their crime? They all sipped coca tea on their arrival to the Bolivian capital La Paz....